Shirley R. Stancato

But in saying he was issuing the apology “to the extent anyone was offended” by the remarks, he seemed to show a lack of understanding of why his words were so offensive to so many people. It is hard to construe the words he originally used to express himself — “For a long time, the city was dumb, lazy, happy and rich” — as anything but a negative comment on the city and its people.

The pain inflicted by his remarks was intensified by the fact that for years, the words “dumb” and “lazy” have been code words for people speaking pejoratively about African Americans. Those words are hurtful and painful in the African-American community.

Add to that the fact that in recent decades, the word “Detroit” has come to mean “African American.” Detroit was built by people of all races, including African Americans, who worked long and hard at jobs. Though many may have been denied a lengthy formal education in their youth, they were hardly “dumb.”

When Orr’s spokesman initially tried to diffuse the situation by saying that Orr was talking about the body politic of Detroit, which also has been African American in recent decades, he made the situation only more offensive. This is especially true when the words came on behalf of someone who has been given unprecedented powers to determine the future of the city and its residents.

The bottom line is that these words should never be acceptable, no matter whom they come from, especially when they are made in reference to Detroiters.

This city’s declaration of bankruptcy is a painful and scary process for thousands whose future will be directly affected by its outcome. As this process moves forward it is incumbent on those who are driving it to be mindful of that dynamic and to speak respectfully about this city and its people as they carry out their work.

It is good that Orr has come to see the necessity of offering an apology to Detroiters. Hopefully, he will speak more carefully and thoughtfully about this city and its people in the future.

Shirley R. Stancato is president and CEO of New Detroit, a coalition of leaders that works to improve race relations in Southeast Michigan.